Lay the new edition of the City Map (page 22) alongside the old one and it becomes evident that Zuidas has
added many buildings and facilities in the interim period. Also noticeable on the map is that the district is
bounded by water to both the west and east: by De Nieuwe Meer and the Amstel river. The parts of Amsterdam
between these two bodies of water, Amsterdam Zuid and Buitenveldert, were defined by Holland’s famous
architects Berlage and Van Eesteren. Berlage’s influence remains palpable in the city’s division into a north
and a south axis, the latter giving us Zuidas. With the ArtZuid sculpture trail soon to open, I invite all of you to
take an exploratory stroll through the heart of Zuidas and its surrounding neighbourhoods.
Olivier Otten, managing director of Hello Zuidas

With an excellent business climate, world-renowned educational institutions within reach, and leading companies in many
sectors from many countries, Zuidas has huge potential. The foundation Hello Zuidas contributes to Zuidas by realizing a well functioning area.
The goal is to promote a district that has international appeal, and high quality working and living conditions.
•5

Did you know there’s kale growing
in Zuidas? It’s true! Read all about it
in our feature interview!

•7

LUC KUSTERS â&#x20AC;¢ BOLENIUS

'See more of Zuidas than only
your office and the car park'
Interview with Luc Kusters, Bolenius Restaurant

Kale, asparagus, beets and a myriad of other vegetable delights: this is the speciality of Bolenius Restaurant. For just over six years
now, owners Luc Kusters and Xavier Giessen have been welcoming guests to their Zuidas restaurant for lunch and dinner. Last year,
the restaurant nabbed a coveted Michelin star. Although naturally they are honoured, they also feel the star was a long time in the
making. Hello Zuidas sat down with Chef Luc Kusters to talk about Michelin stardom, their pioneering work in Zuidas and their
views on the district. ‘I’d like for people to take an afternoon off to wander around Zuidas and see all this area has to offer. So many
people have no idea, and that’s a real shame!’
Last year Bolenius received a Michelin star, making your

us and was prepared to help out, and so did the property owner.

restaurant the first in Zuidas to claim this honour. Why do

That combination of factors provided the incentive to settle here.

you think you got a star?

The first three years after we opened weren’t too hard; everybody was

‘It´s because of the high quality of what we deliver. Of course the people

eager to try the new place. After that, things got tougher. But we had

at Michelin never divulge their reasons, which is good. That way,

long-term ambitions for this restaurant. Nowadays, looking at how

they never have to justify their decisions. Theoretically, the jury make

this area is evolving, Zuidas is the place to be, but that wasn’t the

their visits undercover, but we know a lot of the judges personally.

case six years ago. However, when we saw the mockup of the planned

When they come to our restaurant, we simply do our best. And that’s

developments, it really sparked our enthusiasm to start up here.

all you can do, anyway. For five years we have been waiting to be awarded

Subsequently, Zuidas was stuck in a construction bottleneck for three

a star, and we’re thrilled to have it. But to be honest, I’m also surprised

years, which certainly hurt us in terms of turnover. But on the whole,

it took so long. Evidently, Michelin saw reasons to reward us now,

we’ve never had cause for complaint. Now lots of the new housing is

but we don’t know what those reasons are. Cooking was something

being delivered, and we’re hoping to see Gershwinplein transformed

I wanted to do ever since I was a kid and I’ve been in the business

into a local gem. So, in short, we’re very pleased to be here.’

for 25 years – starting out as a dishwasher, working my way up to
being a chef. All the establishments I’ve worked at were awarded stars.

What’s your view of Zuidas now? Has a lot changed?

We’re looking ahead to the future and hope to keep this star in the

‘In terms of development, I think Zuidas is only halfway to what it will

years to come, and possibly to receive another one.’

eventually turn out to be. I anticipate a brilliant future. What’s crucial
is that more people come to live here. We have great ties with locals

How did you celebrate?

who visit us often. Basically, the more residential towers, the better

‘The official presentation was at the DeLaMar Theater, but we couldn’t

for us. So far, the municipality as not made good on all of the promises

attend. It was a Monday afternoon and we had a busy lunch service,

they made us, but of course they can’t control everything. Nor can we,

so we were hard at work. Work comes first, always! That same evening

as a business. You just have to make the best of what you’ve got, and

we celebrated with all of the staff and lots of friends in the business.

that’s precisely what we have done. And that’s why we’re still here

This star is incredibly important to us, because of the great attraction

today, looking forward to the future. If you ask me, Zuidas is one of

it holds for customers. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait very long to

the nicest parts of Amsterdam. Gastronomically, we also expect it

receive a second one!’

attract more people from the outside.’

You have been in Zuidas for quite a few years. What was it

What can we expect to see on your menu this spring?

about this area that made you want to open a restaurant here?

‘Spring is a season of all-round abundance. One of my favourite products

‘One of the reasons we came here was that we wanted to cater to the

is asparagus. Lately, we’ve been making gravy from kale. It’s very light

professional market – primarily focusing on lunch. It’s over six years

and flavourful, and quite a change from the heavy stuff made from beef

ago that we came to Zuidas, and as pioneers we really helped to pave

bones, butter and cream. I’ve completely sworn off classic French

the way for other restaurants. The municipality made it attractive for

cuisine, and our customers say they’ve had enough of that too.

Text Romy Lange • Photography Davien Hulsman

•9

Vegetables are our real focus, though there’s always room for fish and

happening in Zuidas. It’s such a shame! Even after six years we still

meat. We maintain a vegetable garden outside our restaurant in

get people who berate themselves for not having discovered our

Zuidas and a lot of what we use is cultivated there. We even have a

restaurant earlier. We’re not the only ones to see those reactions,

special dish we call The Kitchen Garden of Zuidas. It changes with

I’m sure. I’d like for people to take an afternoon off to wander around

the seasons, but it’s always on the menu. We’ve now been listed

Zuidas and see all this area has to offer. If everyone were to walk

amongst the 25 best vegetable restaurants worldwide, which offers

around the area just once, it would benefit local businesses,

excellent motivation to continue down this path.’

but visitors themselves would enjoy it too. There are loads of
fun and fabulous spots to discover!’

‘In terms of development, I think Zuidas is
only halfway to what it will eventually turn
out to be. I anticipate a brilliant future.’

‘It would have to be The Kitchen Garden of Zuidas. It’s different every

a range of different culinary products. The next Zuidas

season, but the dish is always one hundred per cent vegetables,

Culinary event will take place on 30 June on Zuidplein.

flavoured with herbs and spices. Because it changes all the time,

• Bolenius is the maiden name of Luc Kusters’ mother.

I have to continually taste the ingredients and try to balance them

• Bolenius has its own vegetable plot 50 metres from the

out and preserve the flavours, and that’s always fun! What's more,
it’s a dish that never gets dull; you could eat it every day. And because
it’s always on the menu, it provides us with a certain amount of stability.
I have to come clean though: I don’t eat healthy every day. Twice a year I

restaurant.
• Luc and Xavier want their urban garden to set an example
for a more sustainable and plant-based gastronomy.
• Bolenius is also the flagship of the Dutch Cuisine movement,

go to a snack bar and then I really go all out – my wife and I order every-

which seeks to promote traditional Dutch cooking

thing on the menu, ending up with a veritable buffet of fried snacks.’

and food culture.
• Bolenius serves a Business Lunch that has guests in

Is there anything in particular you’d like to say to our readers?
‘I see so many people drive into the car park in the mornings and
beeline back home in the evenings. They never experience all that’s

10 •

and out in 50 minutes.

BUILDING THE FUTURE
STADIONKADE

TELESTO

W.T.
O.P.

BEGRAAFPLAATS
BUITENVELDERT

ATRIUM
2 AMSTERDAM
RECHTBANK

SINT
NICOLAAS
LYCEUM

ANT. VER

GOEDE DOELEN
LOTERIJEN

STRAWINSKYHUIS

VIJFHOEK

STRAWINSKYLAAN
E. VAN BEINUMSTR.

STRAWINSKYLAAN

PRINSES IRENESTRAAT

PRINSES IRENESTRAAT

4

FRESH
FIELDS

AICS

RECHTBANK

BEETHOVENSTRAAT

TIJDELIJKE
RECHTBANK

BEATRIXPARK

W. LANDRÉSTR.

THOMASKERK

PRINSES IRENESTRAAT

SPIRIT

T

ENNESSTR.

T

UCZ

MINERVALAAN

3

PRINSES MARIJKESTRAAT

HANDEL
AMSTERDAM

AT
HENRIËTTE BOSMANSSTRA

AMSTELVEENSEWEG

OLYMPIC
PLAZA

THE PAVILION

DIRK SCHÄFERSTR.

WILLEM PIJPERSTRAAT

AAT

FRED. ROESKESTR

PARNASSUSWEG

SBAANPAD

JOHANNES WORPSTR.

HENRI ZAGWIJNSTRAAT

DE FRED

LOYENS
& LOEFF

TWEEDE
OPENLUCHT
SCHOOL

D. APPELDOORNSTR.

GEERT GROOTE
COLLEGE
EN SCHOOL

D. SCHÄFERSTR.

BRITISH
SCHOOL

PRINSES MARGRIETSTRAA

PLEIN
RIETVELD
ACADEMIE

P. VAN ANROOYSTR.

TRAAT

BRANDTS BUYSS

HEIJSTR.

EVERT CORNELISSTRAA

C.VAN R

SUSWEG
PARNAS

STADION

STADIONKADE

ZUIDER AMSTELKANAAL

WILLEM KESSTRAAT

E
AD

LIK

TEL

CA

CORNELIS DOPPERKADE

7

E

TTAKAD

I VO
HENR

LO

E

NKAD

STADIO

STIBBE

WTC

AKZO
NOBEL

ZUIDPLEIN

MATHIJS VERMEULENPAD

CHRISTIAN NEEFESTRAAT

ATRIUM

A10
S108

SPOORSLAG

N

ARNOLD SCHÖNBERGLAA

DOMENICO SCA

P

ANTONIO VIVALDISTRAAT

RAVEL
RESIDENCE

T

AA

STR

IKC

LAAN

1
TLA
VLIE
EN
HE

DE KLENCKE

MATENESSEHOF
WEENAHOF

VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT

DE

SPANGENHOF

VAN DER BOECHORSTSTRAAT

BOTANISCHE TUIN

ARENT JANSZOON ERNSTSTRAAT

AREND
JANSZOON
ERNSTSTRAAT
ARENT
JANSZOON
ERNSTSTRAAT

ARENT JANSZOON ERNSTSTRAAT

CONSTRUCTION
WORKS
MAY AND JUNE 2O17
WORKS THIS SPRING
Works in Zuidas will continue to move full speed ahead during
May and June, with road works concentrated mainly around
De Boelelaan and Fred. Roeskestraat.
DE BOELELAAN, DIRECTION NORTH TO SOUTH…
Road works at the northern end of De Boelelaan

are nearly finished.

For the next phase, which is scheduled for 22-24 May, all of the
construction material will be moved to the south end. Prior to this,
however, the junction between De Boelelaan and Europaboulevard
needs to be tackled. The junction will be closed off to all traffic
on 5 May, from 8pm, until 6am on 8 May. The A10 motorway slip roads
(exit S109/RAI) will remain open.

12 •

D

AN

OZW

BARBARA STR

DE BOELE

KROOSWIJKHOF
VU

IMAGING
CENTER

ALDISTRAAT
ANTONIO V IV

UITVOERINGSKEET ZUIDAS

VEN

R. WERTHEIMSTR.

STRAAT

GEORGE
GERSHWINPLEIN

XAVIER

THO

P

GEORGE GERSHWINLAAN

BEE

GUSTAV
MAHLERPLEIN

LEO SMITSTRAAT

L. BERNSTEIN

VU

NIEUW
UNIVERSITEITSGEBOUW

INTERMEZZO

AFC

DE BOELELAAN

DE BOELELAAN

SPOEDEISENDE
HULP

GERSHWIN
BROTHERS

PETER SCHATSTRAAT

O|2

MAHLER
900

B. BRITTENSTRAAT

BUITENVELDERTSELAAN

SPORTCLUB
BUITENVELDERT

P1

PARKEERGARAGE
RAVEL

GUSTAV MAHLERLAAN

ACTA

VUmc

ABN AMRO

A. COPLANDSTR.

VUmc/
ACTA

P

GUSTAV
MAHLERPLEIN

YLAAN

DEBUSS

GUSTAV MAHLERLAAN

VUmc
POLIKLINIEK

PAD

B. BRITTENSTRAAT

P2

D

KÜTSJESPA

NOMA
HOUSE

PARNASSUSWEG

SPORTHAL
STADSDEEL
ZUID

THE EDGE/
DELOITTE

CLAUDE

BUILDING THE FUTURE
SCHELDEPLEIN

WIELINGENSTRA

AT

P
AN

TLA

EL

EV

OS

RO

RAI

P
PRESIDENT KENN

EDYLAAN

BARONIEPAD

STICHTSTRAAT

VELUWESTRAAT

OLDAMBTSTR.

TWENTESTRAAT

6

RAI HOTEL

SALLANDSTR.

5

BARONIESTRAAT

BETUWESTRAAT

WESTERWOLDEST
RAAT

P

EDYLAAN

GRAAFSCHAPST
RAAT

ARD

P

RAI
PARKEERGARAGE

P

STADSDEEL
KANTOOR
ZUID

MONTFERLANDSTR
.

RAI

PRESIDENT KENN

GELRESTRAAT

EUROPABOULEV

RAI

GELRESTRAAT

ZUIDELIJKE WAND

ELWEG

residents and companies in Zuidas was provided by the project

SYNAGOGE

AS
GA TERLANDSTRAAT

team, who know all about the area´s developments, and also
through informational evenings which we could attend as

ARLATTILAAN

observers. Listening closely to the project office enabled us

ZENDMAST

BEGRAAFPLAATS
ZORGVLIED

ROZZILAAN

2

solutions. By now we have presented our plan multiple times

S109

EUROPABOULEVARD

T. ALBINONISTRAAT

HOLIDAY
INN

DE BOELELAAN

E KLENCKE

to come up with what I think are very elegant and creative

P

and it’s great to see the positive reactions we received.’
A10

NOVOTEL

… FRED. ROESKESTRAAT SOUTH TO NORTH
A great deal is happening on Fred. Roeskestraat

MEET THE BUILDERS
OF ZUIDASDOK
SASKIA ENGELEN & SJOERD DE WAARD

. With work at

‘This is an absolutely amazing project,
and we want everyone to see that, so
we’ll be giving locals a chance
to enjoy the experience.
- Sjoerd de Waard
OBSERVATION TOWER
The period leading up to 2019 is reserved for preparatory works:

the southern end of the street finished, activity will now shift to the

Zuidasdok, the mammoth infrastructure project about to kick

Heijmans and HOCHTIEF. Apart from drawing up the best

rerouting cables and pipelines, removing trees and paving

northern section. Activities outside the temporary courthouse will

off in the heart of Zuidas, has been awarded to the contracting

tender, our organizations also had to get to know each other.’

special roads for construction traffic. ZuidPlus will be taking all

be completed in May, resulting in a new road, bike path and pavement.

consortium of ZuidPlus. After working on their tender for two

During the tender phase, technical consultations were already

possible steps to minimize disruptions arising from the works.

Works on Fred. Roeskestraat and at the 2e Openluchtschool are

years in strictest secrecy, the time has come to connect with

being held with the Zuidasdok project team, Saskia explains.

But that’s not all, says Area Manager Sjoerd de Waard. ‘This is

scheduled to wrap up before 1 September. Renovations at the

the locals. Naturally, that includes the Zuidas business

That was also true for the other selected bidder. ‘Of course we

an absolutely amazing project, and we want everyone to see

Olympic Plaza and Gerrit Rietveld Academie will continue through

community. ZuidPlus Area Managers Saskia Engelen and

knew who that was and how good they are. But whenever we

that, so we’ll be giving locals a chance to enjoy the experience.

early 2018.

Sjoerd de Waard are eager to begin.

talked to each other, we consciously managed to steer clear

For example, we want to erect an observation tower from

of the topic. The rules governing tenders are crystal clear:

which people can see all that’s happening, and we’re also

mum’s the word.’

looking into the possibility of setting up events at and around

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL...

Although the actual works won’t be blasting off until 2019,

Just north of Zuidplein, work has begun on a new underground

ZuidPlus can already look back on one job well done. Preparing a

bicycle parking facility

the construction site.’ During the works, ZuidPlus will be providing

bid for the Zuidasdok contract (A10 south motorway expansion and

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

area landscaping and putting trees in several places, where they

Completion is scheduled for April 2018. At the RAI, where work is

tunnel, as well as construction of a new public transport station)

Dialogue with the Zuidasdok project team was focused on

can start to bulk up. After the project’s completion, these trees,

progressing on construction of the RAI Hotel, a new roundabout

was in itself a major operation. ‘When I came on board in September

clarifying possibilities and limitations. ‘It’s tough but understand-

by now reasonably matured, will be relocated to a permanent

is being built. Gelrestraat

2015, there were 15 people working on the project’, recalls Saskia

able that we weren’t permitted to talk with others involved. As area

spot. ‘Zuidasdok will certainly cause some disruption’,

from the ZuidPlus office in Amstelveen. ‘Only a few months later,

managers, we naturally want to consult with everyone so as to

Sjoerd acknowledges, ‘but this is also a project of which

there were a 100. ZuidPlus is a consortium made up of Fluor,

get a good sense of their needs and wishes. Information from

Zuidas – and indeed Amsterdam – should be proud.’

, offering the capacity to park 3,500 bikes.

will be resurfaced between 8 and

14 May. Last but not least, Minervalaan
lay new pipelines.

will be opened up to

• 13

Text Jos Moerkamp • Photography Davien Hulsman

BUILDING THE FUTURE

VISIT THE AMSTERDAM ZUIDAS INFORMATION CENTRE
The Amsterdam Zuidas Information Centre is located in the central
hall of the World Trade Center. There is a large scale model showing
what Zuidas will look like in the future. If you wish to visit with a group,
please make an appointment beforehand. For further information, or if
you have a query or complaint, you can also send an email to: info@zuidas.nl,
visit www.zuidas.nl or call: 0800-5065.

HELLO BIKE

HELLO

BIKE!

THE BIRTH OF AN IDEA

The first public bike-sharing system in Zuidas rides on the wave of recent innovative developments happening in the bicycle market.
The Bikevertising Company’s entrepreneurs have been tapping into these innovations for their ad-bikes for some time now.
Having come through the expensive start-up period of building the requisite mobile apps, back-office systems, software solutions
and specific expertise with great success, it was a logical step for the company’s owners to set up a bike-sharing system that
was suited for both professionals and the general public.
PRODUCT WITH WIDE APPLICATIONS

submit a proposal by Hello Zuidas, and after

make an existing product fit. This targeted

The software concepts underpinning

the introductions had been made by

solution proved to be the deciding factor.

the product make it widely applicable.

Helma Schenkeveld of the city’s cycling

Both the bike and the scheme’s ease-of-use

Companies can lease their own bike fleet,

coalition (FietsCoalitie), they got to work

are perfectly suited to the typical visitor of

join existing schemes like Hello Bike and/or

on drafting plans.

Zuidas and the district’s unique image.

convert their existing bikes to smart business
bikes. The X-Bike platform that powers

A TARGET SOLUTION

Ultimately, the pairing of the energetic,

Hello Bike is extremely versatile and can

By touching upon the bicycle problem,

solution-oriented entrepreneurs and a

easily be adapted to individual locations.

its target group and its requirements from

seasoned cycle-sector consultant turned

a fresh angle, the Hello Bike creators were

out to be a winning combination. Of course,

The Bikevertising Company learned about

able to forge a product that responds to

the digitization of the bike also played a

the scheme soon after being invited to

the current situation, rather than trying to

big part in all of the solutions.

• 15

PUBLIC SPACE

GOT A

MINUTE?
Lunch is an important meal. A healthy lunch keeps your mind sharp and
helps lower stress levels. How do the hard workers of Zuidas prefer to
spend their lunch breaks? We headed outside to find out.
JAN DUKACZEWSKI, OPTIVER
‘I study computer science at VU Amsterdam and am about to start
a work placement at Optiver. I go to Café Belmondo and Market 33
a lot. The area could do with a little more variation and better prices,
I think. My placement company have a lunch buffet, so I’ll probably
alternate that with grabbing a bite somewhere else, since I haven’t
got time to make lunch at home. Lunch is important though. It’s a
moment to relax and also a great time to socialize.’

LISA BERGE, CHINA CONSTRUCTION BANK
‘I grab lunch with one of my colleagues almost every day. We enjoy
trying out new places to eat and new foods, from soup to salad,
to Japanese, especially now that more and more new places keep
popping up. Each has their own speciality. With all the options
around nowadays, there’s also more competition. Places have
to distinguish themselves from the crowd. To me, quality and
fast service are what’s important. I don’t want to spend my entire
lunch break in a queue.’

16 •

PUBLIC SPACE

DOREEN VAN INGEN, PAGE PERSONNEL
‘Lately the options in lunch have improved, with a range of healthy
choices at various price levels. I like SLA, where they do hearty
salads. I actually got one just now. On Fridays I often go to Kenko
for sushi, alternating that with bringing something to the office
from home, like soup, salad or leftovers. When the weather is
nice, like today, I take my lunch out to a sunny spot in front of
the WTC. If possible, I take a little walk during my lunch break.
When you have been sitting all day long, it’s healthy to stretch
your legs every now and then.’

TON BEIER, VISTRA
‘I always take time for lunch. Sometimes I take a packed lunch from
home– your standard Dutch cheese sandwich. Other times I’ll eat
out. My favourite spot for lunch is Mech, where they make great
sandwiches. They’ve been there for ages, but the quality is as good
as ever, so why change? The range of places to go to in Zuidas is
good, there’s enough variety around to suit every palate. That’s a
nice thing about walking around here, too. I prefer to go outside
during my lunch hour and take a break from my computer.’

MOST EXPENSIVE SALE OF ZUIDAS OFFICE SPACE EVER
Zuidas - The most expensive office building in the Netherlands is located in the Zuidas district of Amsterdam. The Atrium building
was sold to French real estate investor Amundi for approximately half a billion euros. Never before has an office building changed
hands for so much money - roughly 8,300 euros per square metre. In 2012, when the real estate market had plummeted and the crisis
was well underway, Atrium was purchased by real estate company Icon Real Estate for 100 million euros. The building was completely
renovated, with new towers and an underground car park under construction, and has been sold within five years for an amount
roughly five times the purchase amount. Economic growth, the cheap euro, low interest rates and the attractiveness of the Dutch
market and infrastructure have attracted scores of real estate investors causing demand and prices to soar.

18 â&#x20AC;˘

BROUWERSHOF CHANGES NAME TO ZADELHOFF

ALDERMAN ERIC VAN DER BURG SAYS:

Zuidas - Real estate management company Brouwershof

'THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RAILS RUNNING

has been renamed Zadelhoff. Brouwershoff is the invest-

THROUGH ZUIDASDOK AS WELL'â&#x20AC;?

ment vehicle of real estate entrepreneur Cor van Zadelhoff.

Zuidas - Eric van der Burg believes it a bad decision to have

The name was at risk of disappearing entirely, due to the

only the road run underground. The Amsterdam alderman of

fact that real estate adviser DTZ Zadelhoff was taken over

Spatial Planning and the Zuid District made this statement

by Cushman & Wakefield. By attaching his own name to his

during his speech at the Hello Zuidas anniversary gathering.

business, Cor van Zadelhoff will be able to keep his family

'The decision to make space for only the road at Zuidasdok,

name alive. Beheer Brouwershoff BV manages a property

without including the tracks, is simply wrong', he said in his

and development company that has been around for more

short speech. He explained that it will take at least another ten

than 40 years. His development portfolio currently includes

years before politicians decide to bring the adjacent tracks

two major projects at Zuidas in Amsterdam: Noma House

underground as well. Whereas in the construction of Zuidas-

and Gershwin Brothers.

dok, this possibility has already been taken into account.

KÖNIG + NEURATH OPENS SHOP AT 500 BEETHOVENSTRAAT

SAVILLS MANAGES

Zuidas - Real estate company G&S Vastgoed will be leasing out approximately 330 m²

ZUIDERHOF PAVILJOENS

of commercial space in its new development 500 Beethovenstraat to König + Neurath.

Zuidas - Real IS has awarded

The property is located on the corner of Beethovenstraat and De Boelelaan. Bart

of König + Neurath means that soon Zuidas will also boast a high-quality office

hof Paviljoens in Zuidas. The assign-

furniture retailer. It’s the first time such a retailer has come to Zuidas.' König + Neurath

ment includes the commercial,

was founded in 1925 and is now an international one-stop-shop for office furniture,

technical and administrative

seats and sofas and wall-mounted systems.

management of three multi-tenant
office buildings at Jachthavenweg
112, 118 and 124 (19.800 m²),
also known as Zuiderhof Paviljoens.
Tenants of Zuiderhof Paviljoens
include ABN Amro MeesPierson
and Valad Benelux. At the moment
all three buildings are fully leased.

• 19

COLUMN

ZUIDAS - A Highway Runs Through It
Welcome, dear reader! Welcome to my new

Red Light District, but for its Financial District.

confusion for English speakers. For Australians,

column entitled: ’I’m Not Getting Paid, So They

And we need a catchy name that people will

‘Southern Cross’ means a constellation of

Can’t Fire Me.’ Trigger warning: there will be

remember, like “Wall Street” in New York,

stars. For Americans, a ‘Southern Cross’ is

jokes about Zuidas. In my opinion, Hello Zuidas

or “The City” in London, or “La Defense” in

what might be burned into your lawn now

needs some jokes about Zuidas.

Paris.’ And so they chose ZuidAs - a term that

that Donald Trump is president. And for

no English-speaker can pronounce. The ui

Londoners, ‘Southern Cross’ is that special

To start with: what kind of name is Zuidas?

combination really throws us off. The closest

kind of anger, when you want to live in

I’ve been wondering that since the Zuidas

we come is oo-ee. We pronounce Zuid like

Camden, but you can only afford Croydon.

naming ceremony, more than ten years ago.

Zoo-eet. So basically, the message behind

I was there performing at the event, hosted by

the name is: ‘don’t think of Amsterdam as

To me, Zuidas means ‘The Southern

Amsterdam City Marketing. Or ‘Amsterdam

the Red Light District, but do come down to

Crossroads of Amsterdam.’ It’s a unique

InBusiness.’ Or ‘Whatever they’re calling

Zweet Ass.’

and thriving part of the city. It’s known for
innovation, entrepreneurship and opportunity.

themselves now.’ Apparently, the former
name for the ‘Zuidas’ area was ‘Station Zuid -

When I typed the word Zuidas into Google

And the ‘crossroads’ is literally crossed by

a Highway Runs Through It!’ But they wanted

Translate, the English result was ‘South Ax.’

the road called the A10. Zuidas: A highway

something sexier.

Which sounds like a character from Game of

runs through it.

Thrones. Which is also quite sexy. But of course
The city elders said: ‘We want the world

the real translation of Zuidas is ‘South Axis,’

to think of Amsterdam not just for the

or ‘Southern Cross’ - which can also create

Gregory Shapiro (b.1968) Comedian. American. Dutchman. And the voice of
Trump in the ‘Netherlands Second’ video from ‘Zondag Met Lubach.’ Shapiro came
to Amsterdam to work with Boom Chicago comedy theater and never left. Along the
way he has hosted ‘Comedy Central News.’ He has written 2 books on Dutch culture,
including How to Be Dutch: the Quiz. As host of ‘United States of Europe,’ Shapiro
offers a ‘Daily Show’ for the EU. Making fun of Europe, the American way.

Photography Davien Hulsman

• 21

MOBILITY

HELLO ZUIDAS CITY MAP

TIME TO RELAX
Zuidas is growing. And it’s becoming increasingly diverse as well. Alongside offices and homes, there are also a wide range of parks,
shops, restaurants, art and hotels to be found here. Plenty of options, in other words, to take a breather, clear your head and recharge
during your lunch break or kick back after a busy workday. We’ve selected some of the best local spots for guaranteed R&R, all an
easy stroll or cycle from Zuidas. See the map and read our tips below!

ART CHAPEL
Tucked away in Beatrixpark, the Art Chapel is an oasis for contemplation and
inspiration. Activities for people who work and live in the area, students, visitors and
curious passers-by, are designed to foster understanding of the exhibited artworks
and the ideas behind the pieces. Get relief from deadlines and meetings.

STRANDZUID (NEXT TO RAI)
At the recently renovated Strandzuid you can soak up the sun lounging on a deckchair,
enjoy a beer on the terrace or a multi-course meal in the restaurant, or play a game of
table football with colleagues. Just like a beach holiday – but without having to leave
the city. It's just a ten-minute walk from Zuidas!

AMB AMRO PAVILION AND GREENHOUSE
This inspirational meeting place on Gustav Mahlerplein offers an escape from
the daily grind. Visit the courtyard garden between the pavilion and ABN AMRO
building, or ascend to the pavilion’s rooftop garden and terrace. Both are open
to the public.

That’s not all! There are many more spots around
to relax and recharge, with Amsterdamse Bos, Sportas,
the tennis courts at IJsbaanpad, the Olympic Stadium,
Beatrixpark, Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam (p.36) and Amstelpark
all near by. You’ll find them all on the map.

22 •

MOBILITY

GET YOUR FREE
HELLO ZUIDAS
CITY MAP NOW!

Complimentary Hello Zuidas
City Map was here. Visit Hello
Zuidas for your own city map!

NEW LEADERSHIP IN A NEW WORLD
‘Leadership is a journey
that requires continuous investment’
The world is changing faster than we

us all more connected than ever before.

no matter where you stand. Organizations

can keep up with, and the role of

This has its major impact on the role of

would do well to cultivate these principles

leadership is changing right along with

the leader. Everything has accelerated,

too. With all we have to deal with every day,

it. Professor Jean Paul van Marissing,

creating massive pressures. There is less

these principles may help you make the

director of Webster University Leiden,

time to respond and we’re expected to act

right choices.'

has an inspiring vision on new leadership

immediately. Social media have also left us

in a new world.

much more vulnerable, by putting people

MASTER OF BUSINESS

under a huge magnifying glass that forces

ADMINISTRATION

them to be cautious .

The Webster Master of Business Admini-

Leadership is a broad concept. You don’t
have to be a director or a team leader –
leadership can be demonstrated in every
kind of situation. ‘The key is that people
follow you’, Prof. van Marissing explains.

stration (MBA) is the perfect answer for

‘The key is that
people follow you’

As chairman of the board of a law firm and

professionals who want to shape their own
leadership journey. Webster University’s
location in the World Trade Center makes
it the ideal place for working professionals

ACCENTURE POSTS HIGHER TURNOVER
Zuidas - Second-quarter figures released by Amsterdam Accenture for its split financial year, show the American consultancy’s net
turnover increased further even as profitability declined. Over the recent quarter ending on 28 February, its net turnover rose 5%
to $8.3 billion. In local currency, this represented a growth of 6%. Operating profits rose 5% to $1.14 billion, with an operating margin
of 13.7%. Below the line this left a net profit of $887 million, compared to $1.14 billion last year.

THE ROAD TO FREEDOM
@ De Nieuwe Poort
5-9pm
Come join us for a walk along the
WWII art trail, a Liberty Meal and a
celebration of our freedom! ArtZuid
and De Nieuwe Poort cordially invite
you to this festive Liberation Day
event on Friday 5 May. More info
and program details to be found on:
www.denieuwepoort.org.

see the Amsterdamse Bos website.

5-7 May
AMSTERDAM KOOKT
30 May - 1 June
From Wednesday 3 May
STRANDZUID IS OPEN!
@ Strandzuid

@ Olympic Stadium

PROVADA

This year marks the third edition of

@ RAI Amsterdam

the Amsterdam Kookt food festival,

Provada is the year’s premier event

a big event packed with the hottest

Last April the new and improved

for the real estate sector, bringing

food trucks, coolest drinks, live acts

Strandzuid reopened its doors as

together developers, investors,

and plenty to keep even the kids

an events venue, and from 3 May

consultants, financiers, housing

entertained. Last year’s second edition

the restaurant will also be back in

associations, end users and municipal

was held on a blissfully sunny summer

business. What better place to host

authorities in a professional setting

day where the drinks flowed well into

your meeting, drinks, dinner or

where they can share their plans,

the wee hours. Still undecided?

party this spring?

ideas and visions.

It’s free! www.amsterdamkookt.nl.

28 •

AGENDA

Our next issue will be published @ the third of July. Send your agenda to hellozuidas@asega.nl before May 22.

Monday 8 May & Monday 12 June

Thursday 18 May

PUB QUIZ

WTC BUSINESS CLUB EVENT

@ The Basket

@ Amstelpark Tennis Club,

Eight edge-of-your-seat rounds,

Amsterdamse Bos

with music clips, pictures and

Clinic, match, drinks and snacks –

questions to which you know you

all you need to do is be there.

know the answer... if only you could

Haven’t got a tennis racket?

remember! It’s the place to be on

Don’t worry, it’s a tennis club, after all!

the VU campus. Register your team

Register now, for places are limited.

(5 max.) now, for a chance to show

Cost: €50 p.p. for members and

your stuff and win great prizes!

their guests. €75 for non-members.

To register, phone 020-205 0966 or send

To register, send an email to:

an email to: amsterdam@thebasket.nl.

businessclub@wtcamsterdam.com.

Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 May
OPEN ATELIERS ROUTE
@ Amsterdam Zuid
90 professional artists and artisans who
live and/or work in Amsterdam Zuid
will be opening their studios and workshops to the public for this seventh
edition of OPENateliersZUID! For the
first time the route will encompass all
of the Zuid district. With an exhibition
at Oranjekerk, the event’s focus is on the
De Pijp neighbourhood. The church’s
central location makes it a perfect
place to start your artistic exploration
of Amsterdam Zuid. For more info,
visit www.openatelierszuid.nl.

Thursday 11 May

Sunday 21 May

ZUIDAS SUITS & STILETTOS RUN

Friday 19 May

PURE MARKET

@ Zuidas

OFFICIAL OPENING OF ARTZUID

@ Amsterdamse Bos

On your marks, get set and go... to this

4pm

11am-6pm

year’s Zuidas Suits & Stilettos Run,

The fifth edition of the Amsterdam

Following last year’s success,

which is held this year on 11 May,

International Sculpture Biennial,

Pure Markt returns to Amsterdamse

from 12pm to 12:45pm. This event,

the ARTZUID 2017, kicks off with

Bos. This market is all about pure

serving as the warm-up for the Zuidas

a United Nations Peace Walk,

products, sold by its producers.

Run, lures office types from across

which will start on Gershwinplein

They can tell you everything about

Zuidas away from their desks for a

and finish at the ArtZuid Pavilion,

the ingredients, origins and

50 metre sprint to victory in their

Minervalaan 1. The art works will be on

production processes. Admission is

suits and stiletto heels.

display through 17 September 2017.

free! www.puremarkt.nl

• 29

AGENDA

AGENDA MAY • JUNE

2-5 June
TASTE OF AMSTERDAM
@ Amstelpark
Tuesday 23 May

On Whitsun weekend this year,

GREEN BUSINESS CLUB ZUIDAS

Amstelpark will once more be

CEO BREAKFAST

transformed into a mecca for chefs

@ OZW building, VU Amsterdam

and their signature dishes. Now in

7:45-9:30am

its ninth year, Taste of Amsterdam is

Invitation only

the one and only restaurant festival

This breakfast meeting brings CEOs

where the public can sample the best

together for a discussion of the

dishes and cooking of Amsterdam in

agreements and ideas set out in

one place. Grab a cocktail, a special

the 2015-2020 Ambition Statement.

brew or a fine wine and taste your way

Alderman Pieter Litjens will join

across Amstelpark to a soundtrack of

the follow-up session on mobility

toe-tapping tunes.

and accessibility.

www.tasteofamsterdam.com

Thursday 8 June
MASTERCLASS
@ VU
Good leaders have mastered the art
of asking the right questions. Whether
you’re an accountant, a parent, a lawyer
or a manager, gaining one's trust can
help you make a world of difference
for others. This may sound simple,
but it’s not. Learn to lead with impact
in this masterclass on The Gentle Art
of Helping. To register, send an email
to: servus.feweb@vu.nl.

HELLO
ZUIDAS
EVENT

Thursday 25 May
DAWN WALK WITH THE
FOREST RANGER

Saturday 3 June

@ Amsterdamse Bos

THE FLYING DUTCH

8am

@ Olympic Stadium

This year on Ascension Day, early risers

This June, ten of the world’s best

can enjoy a Birding Walk with the forest

Dutch DJs will be touching down at

ranger. Together we’ll stroll among

Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium to

Thursday 8 Junee

the trees and discover the first signs of

spin their best for The Flying Dutch.

ARTZUID OPENING IN ZUIDAS

spring. Along the way, the forest ranger

All day long, helicopters will be flying

@ AkzoNobel

will share a wealth of interesting facts.

Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Hardwell,

All ages welcome. To register, phone

Martin Garrix, Tiësto and others to

ARTZUID – ZUIDAS Art Event with

020-5456100. Or send an email to:

and fro between three cities located

lecture and guided tours. Meet at

boswinkel@amsterdam.nl. Cost: €5

across the Netherlands.

the Akzo Nobel Art Space (Christian

p.p. Please pay in exact change.

www.theflyingdutch.com

Neefestraat 2). Invitation only!

30 •

3pm

AGENDA

Our next issue will be published @ the third of July. Send your agenda to hellozuidas@asega.nl before May 22.

@ De Nieuwe Poort
12:30pm-6pm
Now in its fifth year, this tournament,
set up in collaboration with Calvijn
College in Slotervaart, joins teams
of young professionals from local
companies to vocational secondary
school pupils. Fusing football with
community participation, it’s an
event that combines the best of both
worlds! Interested? Send an email to:
straatvoetbal020@denieuwepoort.org.

Ricoh is specialized in providing
document-related services, advice,
software and equipment for companies
worldwide. It offers solutions keyed to
fit your requirements and keep pace
with your business. And with its
excellent network, Ricoh guarantees
support whenever you need it.

Three new Turkey oak trees were planted in the Claude Debussylaan. When fullly grown,
these big trees will add some welcome green to this piece of public environment in Zuidas.

SUSTAINABILITY

CONCRETE ENERGY CONSERVATION PLANS
Zuidas still has plenty of steps to make when it comes to office energy savings. To spur
efforts along, GBC Zuidas has drawn up a Zuidas Energy Conservation Plan, setting out
concrete conservation measures and targets for both companies individually and the
district as a whole. The Energy Plan maps out a step-by-step approach to measurement,
monitoring, collaboration and implementation. Collaboration is particularly important
in multi-tenant buildings, where the joint efforts of tenants, property managers and
owners may yield substantial savings. Coalitions are currently being formed in various
multitenant buildings in Zuidas to achieve exactly that. Keep an eye on the GBC Zuidas
website for an update on the results.

HAPPINESS IS A GREEN FENCE
Late April finally saw the long-awaited installation of the first two Happy Fences at the
Vijfhoek construction site. Happy Fences are ecological construction fences that store water
through a water infiltration system in the planters at the base. These fences are a pilot
sponsored by CBRE. After having spent winter in a greenhouse to give the plants a fair
chance to grow, the Happy Fences have now been placed outside, adding a local splash
of green and alleviating construction eyesores. GBC Zuidas and the Amsterdam municipal
authorities are hammering out plans to use more of these green fences, so as to screen off
building works in Zuidas in the future. It just goes to show: happiness comes in small fences!

CYCLE SPACE: MOBILITY AS A LIFESTYLE
At the beginning of April, CycleSpace opened its doors in Zuidas. CycleSpace is a temporary hotspot for the promotion of bicycle use and innovation. Its goal is for 50% of all urban transport in
cities around the world to travel by bicycle by the year 2030. They have set up a large glass house
in Zuidas, where people can go for more information and to be updated on the latest bicycle
technology. Maud de Vries from Cycle Space: 'If sitting is the new smoking, and standing is
the new sitting, we need places to be active. Active modes of transport. An active environment.
Or, as we like to call it: Mobility as a Lifestyle. We’re here in Zuidas to promote the positive impact
of bicycles on the future of city traffic.' You can find CycleSpace in the glass building next to Julia’s
on Gustav Mahlerplein. Come in and have a look around!

Maartje Oome is communications advisor for Green Business Club Zuidas,
a district organization in which businesses cooperate in launching sustainable
initiatives and achieving sustainability goals. She is also the editor-in-chief of
the Zuidas Sustainability Report. As the contributing editor of the sustainability
page in Hello Zuidas magazine, she reports on interesting new trends on the
sustainability front in Zuidas. Got hot news on green developments in Zuidas?
Send an email to Maartje@greenbusinessclub.nl.​

Text Maartje Oome • Photography Lotte de Graaf

• 35

GERALT JOREN, SIMONE TOPPERS & MARGREETH VAN DER MEIJDE

Zuidas Botanic Garden

A HIDDEN GEM
AMIDST THE TOWERS
If you think Zuidas is all cement and pavement, think again. Major efforts are under-

Africa and cactuses and succulents.

way to amplify the local green quotient, and for a nature fix you can always escape to

For the past 15 years, I have been tending

Beatrixpark. But what many people don’t know is that there is another verdant oasis just

these plants with the help of 40 volunteers.’

a stone’s throw away – the Zuidas Botanic Garden, conveniently close for a tranquil
lunchtime stroll while eating your sandwich. Hello Zuidas caught up with two people

‘This is primarily a garden for the public,

who are regulars at the Botanic Garden: Simone Toppers, the garden’s programme

offering close to 10,000 different plants to

manager, and head gardener Geralt Joren.

admire and beautiful green surroundings,’
adds Simone. ‘More and more students as well

‘The Botanic Garden was established here

collections, which, along with some 20 other

as people from Zuidas are coming here at lunch-

in 1967,’ Geralt tells us. ‘Originally it was

gardens around the country, is part of the

time to eat their sandwiches. There are nice

built for scientific teaching purposes, but that

extensive national collections. The Botanic

spots to sit along the water and benches all

link was dissolved in 1992. Now it’s simply a

Garden in Zuidas specializes in bamboo

over the place. Recently, a great deal has

botanic garden with a large number of plant

varieties, hardy ferns, clivias from South

been renovated and rearranged about the

36 •

of events,’ says Simone. ‘ So far receptions,

of Medical Education and Training at VU

lunches, parties, dinners, bar mitzvahs,

University Medical Center Amsterdam:

children’s parties and memorial services have

‘The Zuidas Botanic Garden has been around

been held here , and the garden is awaiting

for some 50 years, and in 2014 it underwent

its first bridal couple. 2017 is the Year of

a stunning metamorphosis. It is a green

Botanical Gardens. In a specially developed

oasis between VU University Medical Center

series of lectures, the garden’s Crown Jewels

Amsterdam (VUmc) and VU Amsterdam,

garden. There are new ponds where people

will be highlighted. From April to October,

where people can get away from it all for a

can sit and enjoy the view. The greenhouses

the Zuidas Botanical Garden will also be

moment. It’s wonderful to see the plants being

can be hired for private or business functi-

open on Saturday afternoons.’

cultivated, and I always enjoy going around
to the shop and picking up a few new plants.

ons, which has become immensely popular.’

‘More and more students
as well as people from
Zuidas are coming
here at lunchtime
to eat their sandwiches’

The redesign of the garden formerly known

There’s also a small café. VUmc regularly hires

as Hortus Botanicus VU, is an initiative of

the greenhouse to host events and meetings.

Amsterdam’s Zuid district, the VU-VUmc

Everyone should go visit this place at least

Foundation and the Foundation of Volun-

once to experience this splendid natural

teers for the Botanical Garden. The starting

haven in the middle of Zuidas.’

point is the VU-VUmc vision of the social importance of a green focus for the VU Campus
landscape plan and the importance of an
accessible and high-quality public garden.

ZUIDAS BOTANIC GARDEN

‘We also offer workshops on flora and fauna

People who are surrounded by a lot of green

Van der Boechorststraat 8

and sell various plants,’ continues Geralt.

are often physically and mentally healthier

1081 BT Amsterdam

‘And we’re very much involved in office land-

and are less likely to go and see their GP.

(+31) 20 598 93 90

scaping. Companies in Zuidas can get in touch

info@botanischetuinzuidas.nl

to have us supply plants for their offices.’

Margreeth van der Meijde, member of the

‘People book the garden for a wide range

Zuidas Botanic Garden Board and Director

Text Romy Lange • Photography Davien Hulsman

www.botanischetuinzuidas.nl

• 37

LEGAL

LEGAL NEWS

Source: advocatie.nl

LINKLATERS PAYS BEST FOR 1ST, 4TH AND 7 TH-YEAR LAWYERS

HOUTHOFF BURUMA AND VAN

Linklaters is the country’s highest paying law firm for young lawyers, according to the latest salary

CAMPEN LIEM CONSULT ON

snapshot, which was published in Stand van de Advocatuur & het Notariaat 2017. The gross monthly

BILLION-DOLLAR INTEL DEAL

salary (excluding holiday pay and allowances) paid to first-years at this firm amounts to € 4,090.

Dutch-Israeli company Mobileye has been

Hogan Lovells, re-included in the survey for the first time in years, came in second with € 3,634

acquired by chipmaker Intel for a sum of

gross, followed in third place by De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, with a gross salary of € 3,568.

$ 15.38 billion. The biggest acquisition ever
of an Israeli high-tech firm, the purchase is

At the biggest offices, lawyers in their fourth year may expect between € 3,527 at Damsté,

being hailed as a milestone on the road to

and €5,980 at Linklaters, with second and third place trailing considerably behind; De Brauw

‘OUR TEAM HAS ALL THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXPERTISE TO
SATISFY OUR PATIENTS’ EVERY NEED’
During the six years that her dental practice has been treating patients in Zuidas, Ilse van

Ilse van de Veer. ‘Most people don’t enjoy

de Veer has seen the area transform. These days, Amsterdam’s Financial Mile has grown

going to the dentist, and some even dread

from a 9-to-5 working location into a genuine residential quarter. 'Zuidas has grown

it. But treatments don’t have to be painful

tremendously, and so have we. Our team has all the multidisciplinary expertise to satisfy

– ever’, she stresses. ‘That’s why building

our patients’ every need, and it’s great having everything under one roof.'

a relationship of real trust is so important
to me.’ She shares this view with the

The light and spacious entrance to the Van

de Veer, who in 2011 moved her father’s solo

rest of her team, which includes three

de Veer practice projects an image that’s

practice from Apollolaan to this location in

other dentists, two oral hygienists and

perfectly in sync with its surroundings.

dynamic Zuidas, to give it room to expand.

three assistants. ‘All of us are eager to
contribute to the quality of life in Zuidas

‘We’ve sought to create a pleasant atmosphere that matches the dynamic feel of a

REAL TRUST

as a business and residential setting,

busy professional environment, while adding

Giving her patients her personal attention

and to make things as easy as possible

a generous personal touch’, explains Ilse van

and getting to know them is important to

for our patients.’

42 •

OPENING HOURS

LATEST TECHNOLOGIES

There are various ways in which the practice

To ensure patients of the best in treatment,

strives to cater to its patients, for example by

the team keep abreast of all the latest

keeping very long opening hours: from 7am

developments in their field. ‘One focus area is

until 9pm on weekdays. Clients can also make

organic dentistry, for instance. Where possible,

SPECIALISMS OF THE

appointments during Saturdays and Sundays,

we opt for natural materials and minimize

TREATMENT TEAM

‘This is how we can cater to professionals

the number of X-rays we take, so patients

Dentists

who work in Zuidas as well as the families

will not be needlessly exposed to harmful

• Ilse van de Veer

who live here’, says Van de Veer.

agents.’ Van de Veer also implements the

clear braces, facings and

ILSE VAN DE VEER

latest technologies, such as Digital Smile

paediatric dentistry

EVERYTHING UNDER ONE ROOF

Design. ‘Digital Smile Design enables us

• Kees van Bueren

‘Our services are also very much geared

to show patients what the end result will

root canal treatments and fillings

towards local needs, says Van de Veer.

look like, with the use of digital models and

• Mallalai Berreklouw

‘Each dentist and oral hygienist in our team

photographs, thereby easing the way toward

aesthetic dentistry

has his or her own particular affinity or

a beautiful smile.’

• Leonoor van Marrewijk

specialism, enabling us to offer a wide

dentist implantologist

range of treatments for all ages. This varies
Oral hygienists

from general basic oral care to extensive
treatments like facings, implants and clear

TANDARTSENPRAKTIJK

• Joanne Dielingen

braces. And of course we’re always ready

VAN DE VEER

general oral hygiene and children

to handle urgent cases. That’s also included

Gustav Mahlerplein 116

• Sandra Willemstein

among the services we can offer to com-

(+31) 20 - 66 23 071

parodontology patients

panies in Zuidas.’

www.tandartsenpraktijkvandeveer-zuidas.nl

Text Christine Spanjaard • Photography Davien Hulsman

• 43

HELLO YOU

Tosca Lindeboom, Maartje Oome & Joris Kurk

Judith van Laarhaven & Kenneth Goedhart

Maikel Jansen & Ton Muller

Luc Beyer, Pauline Westendorp, Peter Hoogendijk & Ronald van Oijen

R obert Dijckmeester
& Peter van den Heuvel

PRESENTATION SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
12 April @ Cycle Space
• Hot off the press: the fifth Zuidas Sustainability Report
• This issue focuses on the quantification of sustainability
• Showcasing various sustainable initiatives
• In a series of short interviews by Joris Kurk,
each theme from the report is briefly discussed
• Chat about sustainability in Zuidas over drinks

Jacob Veduijn & Bram van Melis

Ferry van Houten & Marion de Koning

Janneke van den Ouden & Ciska Griffioen

Peter Smit & Xavier Giesen

Photography Davien Hulsman

Eline Kik & Diederik Imfeld

Malu Hilverink & Inge Jeurink

Anneke Broekman & Hedwig Pallandt

• 45

HELLO ZUIDAS

HOTEL
SPECIAL

46 â&#x20AC;¢

SPECIAL

What are the key hotel
trends for 2017?
7.5% GROWTH IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY

the requirements of today’s travellers mean hotels will have to

Demand for hotel accommodation is expected to rise in the years

innovate in order to retain their competitive edge.

to come. According to figures published by Statistics Netherlands,
more than 20.9 million stays will be booked in Dutch hotels

FROM TRADITIONAL LOBBIES TO HIGH-TECH HUBS

during the first half of this year, amounting to an annual increase

Gone are the days of the traditional entrance lobby bracketed by a

of 7.5%.

reception desk. Hotel lobbies are turning more and more into multifunctional spaces, featuring bars, restaurants, lounges and business

FROM COOKIE-CUTTER TO COMPETETIVE EDGE

centres. Public spaces in hotels are undergoing a fundamental change

Hotel rooms often look much alike – a bed, a TV, a bedside table

towards a mixture of areas with a variety of functions fused with a

or two, a row of closets and a bathroom – but these days hotel

living room feel. There is reliable and free WiFi and a range of

rooms are transforming at the speed of light. Modernization and

comfortable workspaces available.

5. ONLINE EXPERIENCE

7 Hotel
industry
trends
1. SPA-WORTHY BATHROOMS
According to various sources,
hotel guests have an increasing
tendency to score their stay

2. MORE
USER-FRIENDLY
TECHNOLOGIES
Hotels are adding lots
of high-tech features to

Social media like Instagram and Pinterest are becoming more
important in guiding consumer decisions. A hotel’s image needs
to project a real ´wow factor´. This can be achieved via consistent
interior styling of the hotel´s walls and floors.

BILDERBERG GARDEN HOTEL
GETS STYLISH MAKEOVER
The Bilderberg Garden Hotel is more beautiful than ever. Following the refurbishment of its restaurant
De Kersentuin, as well as its terrace and lobby, which took place last year, now the corridors and
all of the 124 rooms of the five-star hotel in the heart of Amsterdam Zuid have gotten a fresh makeover.
General Manager Ed Jongen proudly gave Hello Zuidas a tour of the finished result.
Step inside the Bilderberg Garden Hotel and the first

CASUAL DINING WITH CLASS
The Bilderberg Garden Hotel is a favourite among

BOUTIQUE FEEL

leisure and business guests alike. For many,

Inside the lobby and restaurant, the vibe is both

says Jongen, the hotel is a real home away from home.

industrial and homey. Rugged leather chairs invite

‘We know what car our customers drive and even

guests to recline and relax, and the atmosphere

how they take their tea.’ One of the hotel’s highlights

BILDERBERG

is warm and friendly. After this latest renovation,

is its restaurant, De Kersentuin, which is run by

GARDEN HOTEL

the corridors and hotel rooms now also reflect the

starred chef Stefan van der Sprang. Offering casual

Dijsselhofplantsoen 7

new look and feel. ‘As a hotel, it’s crucial for us

dining with a touch of class, the restaurant’s menu

1077 BJ Amsterdam

to keep reinventing ourselves. We opted for fresh

changes regularly. In April, De Kersentuin featured a

www.bilderberg.nl

colours and luxurious materials to create the feel

six-course Japanese-themed menu inspired by the

Garden@bilderberg.nl

of a boutique hotel’, Jongen continues. The design

Japanese cherry trees, which were then in bloom.

Text Davien Hulsman • Photography Christine Spanjaard

• 49

HELLO YOU

SUMMERTIME HOUSE-WARMING PARTY
18 March @ Summertime
• The residents of Summertime strongly believe that Zuidas is
more than a corporate bubble; it’s a genuine neighbourhood!
• So they decided to throw a party, allowing everyone to get
to know each other better and have some fun!
• More than 80 residents attended the get-together.
• The event was a great success and everyone had agreat time.

ONE-OF-A-KIND COCKTAILS AND POWER
LUNCHES AT NEW ONE O ONE TERRACE
With the opening of a second terrace along the newly dug Boelengracht, Crowne Plaza

also serves up power lunches. ‘Our lunch

Amsterdam-South in Zuidas is ready for summer to begin! The Manhattan Lounge terrace

menu is keyed to the pace of business here

and the new one o one terrace are great spots for soaking up some sun, while enjoying

in Zuidas and designed in such a way that

excellent service, fine food and cool cocktails all day long. ‘We want to be the number

people can enjoy a starter and a main

one terrace in Zuidas.’

course in just 45 minutes.’

‘Stylish and modern’, that is how Thijs van

Instead of the standard Mai Tai and Piña

Schijndel, Food & Beverage Service Manager

Colada, we serve cocktails mixed with

CROWNE PLAZA AMSTERDAM-SOUTH

at Crowne Plaza Amsterdam-South, sums up

passion and made with carefully selected

George Gershwinlaan 101

the new one o one terrace. ‘The terrace is

ingredients. That definitely sets us apart

020-5043666

built around a black frame and white screens,

from the rest.’

info.amspc@ihg.com

dressed up with planters filled with lavender’,

www.crowneplaza.com

he describes enthusiastically. ‘To guests

POWER LUNCHING

as well as everyone who lives and works in

Crowne Plaza’s lunch and dinner menus are

the area: if you’re looking for sun, this is the

inspired by French cuisine. ‘Like the cocktail

THE FAVOURITE COCKTAIL

place to be!’

list, our menu changes with the seasons.

OF THIJS VAN SCHIJNDEL

This means our dishes are always seasonal,

The forgotten memoires of a

COCKTAILS

and wherever possible prepared using local

drunken Geisha

It’s also the place to be for anyone who

products’, Van Schijndel explains. In keeping

Sake, Belvedere vodka,

enjoys a good cocktail. ‘Our love of cocktails

with the hotel’s location in the heart of

Ronnefeldt green tea, lychee

inspired us to create our own cocktail list.

Amsterdam’s Financial Mile, the Crowne Plaza

Text Christine Spanjaard • Photography Davien Hulsman

• 51

XXXXXXXX

Hello Zuidas welcomes

the following new members
COMPANY LUNSHOF MAKELAARDIJ • SECTOR ESTATE AGENT • NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 7
Link with Zuidas: We have already sold several new-build projects (multi-agency) in Zuidas, including
OPZUID, Intermezzo and Xavier. Shortly we will also begin sale of The George & The Gustav projects
(also multi-agency). All of these buildings are putting their unique stamp on Zuidas.
Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: Zuidas is equidistant from our offices in Amsterdam and Amstelveen. It’s an inspiring location that we want to be a part of, and we feel fortunate to be active in Zuidas!
COMPANY VAN GOOL • ELBURG VASTGOEDSPECIALISTEN B.V. • SECTOR COMMERCIAL
IMMOVEABLE PROPERTY • NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 11
Link with Zuidas: We are a wholly independent real estate consultancy and have been based in Zuidas
for decades. We advise both end users and developers and owners on a wide range of property issues.
As well as being our office location, Zuidas is also the place on which our activities are focused.
Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: A real estate consultant is a go-between for all the parties
involved in area development – the municipality, property developers, owners and tenants –
and Hello Zuidas is involved in the same sphere.
COMPANY TAXICENTRALE AMSTERDAM • SECTOR MOBILITY
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 50 EMPLOYEES, 1,500 AFFILIATED DRIVERS
Link with Zuidas: Being Amsterdam’s largest taxi company, TCA supplies mobility solutions in Zuidas.
TCA has many partners in Zuidas, such as RAI Amsterdam. The district’s growth calls for ongoing
interventions to resolve transport issues, and TCA is eager to play a facilitating role.
Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: Hello Zuidas is an organization that bridges innovative
ideas and practical experience. By becoming a member, TCA can offer input, exchange knowledge
and thereby help develop long-term mobility solutions for Zuidas.
COMPANY MINDFULBIZZ • SECTOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 4
Link with Zuidas: Mindfulbizz has roots in the business world (Robert Walters, Roland Berger and
others) and is aware of the fact that in Zuidas pressure to perform is high.
Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: We joined because we want to contribute to mindfulness
and the quality of life in Zuidas, to going beyond professional success and to connecting with
yourself, other organizations and your actual surroundings.
COMPANY FLEXFORM AMSTERDAM, FLAGSHIP STORE • SECTOR INTERIOR DESIGN • NUMBER
OF EMPLOYEES 3
Link with Zuidas: With locations in world cities like New York, London, Shanghai and Tokyo, Amsterdam
now has its own Flexform Monobrand Store in dynamic Zuidas, with a spectacular ‘design hub’
created by Co van der Horst.
Reason for becoming a Hello Zuidas member: Hello Zuidas is a terrific platform for connecting, informing
and organizing stakeholders, and we want to get involved as well.

hellozuidas

@HelloZuidas

@hellozuidas

Hello Zuidas

• 53

MEMO BOARD

ARTZUID IN ZUIDAS
Among the artworks featured in this year’s ArtZuid sculpture route will be a fantastic installation by Christóbal Gabarrón​on Gershwinplein. Titled Enlightened Universe, the work is an

GET LOST

interactive sculpture consisting of 70 life-size figures standing with hands linked around a

Following the success of the first

globe to form a human chain of worldwide citizenship, solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature

GET LOST art trail in 2015, a new

and shared responsibility. ArtZuid kicks off on 19 May, with this and many other works in

edition is coming to Zuidas in

Zuidas! www.artzuid.nl

summer 2018, bringing together
the worlds of art and business to

DETOX TIME!

inspire each other. Check out

With summer just around the corner it’s

www.getlostartroute.com and

time to get in shape! Clubsportive can

GET LOST!

help, with one, three and five-day detox
plans coordinated with juices from
JuiceBrothers. Detox with five or more
of your colleagues and get a 15% discount
if you sign up now! Shape up for summer
and put your energy in high gear.
For more information and to register:
cleanse@juicebro.com.

RIALTO AT THE VU CAMPUS!
Enjoy the latest films twice a month
(thursday 5:45 pm) at VU Amsterdam’s Rialto,
with screenings of premiers and pre-premiers
of leading award-winning international films
in association with Griffioen. This initiative